Rideshare Legislation Cruises Through Florida Senate

House Bill 221, provides that “a transportation network company (TNC) driver is not required to register certain vehicles as commercial motor vehicles or for-hire vehicles; requiring a TNC to designate and maintain an agent for service of process in this state; providing fare requirements; providing that TNC drivers are independent contractors if specified conditions are met; requiring a TNC to implement a zero-tolerance policy for drug or alcohol use, subject to certain requirements; requiring a TNC to conduct a certain background check for a TNC driver after a specified period; requiring TNC drivers to comply with the nondiscrimination policy and certain applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination and accommodation of service animals, etc.

The Florida House approved HB 221, last month, and on Wednesday, the Florida Senate did so, as well. The bill was supported by Uber and Lyft as it prevented crippling regulations that would hinder their operations.

The Lee Herald has reached out to Uber and is awaiting comment.

“The bill establishes the regulatory framework for the operation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in Florida. SB 340 and HB 221 establish minimum insurance requirements for TNCs, require thorough background screening standards for TNC drivers, and include consumer protection provisions that strengthen the community of riders and drivers in Florida. In addition, the bill provides regulatory certainty for TNC services in Florida by replacing a patchwork of conflicting local regulations with a unified statewide framework,” according to a Senate release.

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